HYMNS  AND  VERSES 

BY  SAMUEL  LONGFELLOW 


F-46J03 
LBU 


hsbs 


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REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,   D.  D. 


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^PR  27 1936  ^ 


The  hymns  in  this  little  volume  have,  with 
a  few  exceptions,  been  already  printed  in  va- 
rious collections. 

In  1846,  Mr.  Longfellow,  in  connection  with 
Rev.  Samuel  Johnson,  published  the  Book  of 
Hymns,  followed  two  years  later  by  an  enlarged 
edition.  This  contained  three  original  hymns 
by  Mr.  Longfellow,  and  one  translation  from 
the  Breviary. 

In  i860,  Mr.  Longfellow  published  a  book 
of  Vesper  Services,  which  contains  his  Ves- 
per Hymns.  In  the  same  year,  he  published 
a  Book  of  Hymns  and  Tunes  for  the  Sunday 
School.  In  1876,  he  issued  an  enlarged  edition 
of  this,  omitting  most  of  the  children's  hymns, 
and  making  other  changes. 

In  1864,  Mr.  Longfellow  and  Mr.  Johnson 
published  the  Hymns  of  the  Spirit,  carefully 
selected  as  an  expression  of  purely  spiritual 
religious  belief. 

It   contains    twenty-two  original   hymns  by 


Mr.  Longfellow.  Three  of  these  are  marked 
anonymous  in  the  index,  as  Mr.  Longfellow 
wished  to  avoid  the  appearance  of  introducing 
too  much  of  himself  into  the  book. 

The  hymn,  "  Holy  Spirit,  Truth  Divine !  " 
bears  some  resemblance  to  one  by  Andrew 
Reed,  but  after  careful  investigation  they  ap- 
pear to  be  quite  distinct. 

The  hymn,  "  Sing  forth  his  high  eternal 
Name"  was  written  by  request  for  the  tune  of 
Coronation. 

In  1887,  Mr.  Longfellow  printed  for  private 
circulation  a  small  collection  of  his  hymns  and 
verses.  In  the  present  collection  a  few  of  the 
hymns  and  poems  have  been  taken  from  man- 
uscripts which,  although  without  signature, 
seemed  undoubtedly  original  with  Mr.  Long- 
fellow. 

Where  there  is  any  variation  in  the  text  it 

has   been   thought   best   to  follow  the   latest 

revision,, 

A.  M.  L. 


CONTEXTS. 


PAGE 

The  Call 9 

Hymns. 

Hymn  for   the   Ordination   of   Edward    Everett 

Hale 13 

Hymn  of  Baptism 15 

The  New  Commandment 17 

Faith,  Hope,  and  Love     .         .         .         .         .  18 
Hymn  for  the  Dedication  of  the  New  Chapel  of 

the  First  Parish,  Haverhill    ....  26 

The  Word 22 

Law  and  Love 23 

"  Watchman,  What  of  the  Night  ? "          .         .  25 

Vesper  Hymns 27 

"  Go  forth  to  Life  ;' 31 

Hymn  of  Winter 32 

Summer  Rural  Gathering          ....  34 

A  Prayer 36 

Looking  unto  God             .         .         .         .         .  ^j 
"  In  all  ages  entering  holy  souls  "         .         .         -39 

The  Church  Universal 41 

"  Around  the  wintry  tomb  "         ....  43 

Jesus  of  Nazareth 44 

"  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread  "     .         .         -45 

On  the  Lord's  Side 46 

John  and  Jesus 48 

"  Father,  I  have  sinned  "          ....  49 

Prayer  for  Inspiration 51 

Peace  on  Earth 53 


Contents, 


Church  Anniversary 54 

"  God,  through  all,  and  in  you  all "  .         .  55 

"  The  truth  shall  make  you  free"        ...  57 

"  Behold,  I  make  all  things  new"    ...  59 
"  Behold,  the  fields  are  white  "    .         .         .         .61 

"  Thou  who,  immutable  and  one"  .         .  62 

"  Now  while  we  sing  our  closing  psalm  "     .         -63 

Easter 64 

Hymn  for  a  Church  Anniversary         ...  65 

Benediction 67 

Hymn    for    the   Dedication    of   the  Cambridge 

Hospital 68 

»  The  Lord  of  All 70    # 

VEaster  Hymn 73<r 

Easter  Carol 74 

Installation  Hymn 76 

Verses. 

No  Heart  Alone 81 

The  Viaduct S3 

Rock-Burn 85 

To  a  Beautiful  Child 89 

Lessons 91 

By  Mount  Hope  Bay 93 

Love 95 

The  White  Clover 97 

Under  the  Bridge  at  Niagara  .         .         .  100 

November  and  April 102 

The  Golden  Sunset 104 

Sharon  Woods 106 

In  Memoriam 108 

Swiss  Days no 

To  a  Friend,  on  his  Eighty-second  Birthday    .  112 

Glen  Ellis  Fall 115 


Co?  i  tents. 


Up  to  the  Hills 116 

Golden-Rod 118 

September 120 

November 122 

Intervale            ■ 124 

The  Great  Stone  Face 125 

Children 128 

Furness  Abbey 130 

The  New  Year         ...                  .         .  133 

With  an  Easter  Card,  bearing  a  Shield  of  Faith  134 

"  Beneath  the  Shadow  of  the  Almighty  "         .  136 
"  I  will  trust  and  not  be  afraid  "  .         .         .         .137 

Sacred  Song 139 

Sonnet  read  on  the  Fiftieth   Anniversary  of  the 

Class  of  1839 141 


THE   CALL. 

"  The  laborers  are  forth ;  why  t airiest  here  ? 

Their  song  is  heard  afar  while  thou  dost  dream." 
O  Thou  who  to  thy  children  still  art  near, 

From  thee  upon  my  soul  the  call  doth  gleam  ! 

I  must  no  longer  muse  beside  the  stream, 
No  longer  in  green-shadowed  byways  lurk, 
But  rise  and  go  forth  girded  for  my  work, — 

To  sow  beside  the  waters  garnered  seeds 
Of  thought  that  shall  bear  fruit  of  noble  act, 

And  feeling  that  shall  flower  in  beauteous  deeds. 
Do  thou  supply  all  that  my  soul  hath  lacked, 

Do  thou  supply  all  that  my  soul  still  needs,  — 
The  strength  of  will,  the  power  to  be  and  do 
All  I  have  dreamed  of  fair  and  good  and  true  ! 
1846. 


HYMNS. 


HYMN  FOR  THE  ORDINATION  OF 
EDWARD  EVERETT  HALE. 

O  God  !     Thy  children  gathered  here, 

Thy  blessing  now  await ; 
Thy  servant,  girded  for  his  work, 

Stands  at  the  temple-gate. 

A  holy  purpose  in  his  heart 
Has  deepened  calm  and  still ; 

Now  from  his  childhood's  Nazareth 
He  comes,  to  do  thy  will. 

O  Father  !  keep  his  soul  alive 

To  every  hope  of  good  ; 
And  may  his  life  of  love  proclaim 

Man's  truest  brotherhood  ! 

O  Father  !  keep  his  spirit  quick 
To  every  form  of  wrong ; 


14  Ordination  of  Edward  Everett  Hale. 

And  in  the  ear  of  sin  and  self 
May  his  rebuke  be  strong ! 

O  give  him  in  thy  holy  work 

Patience  to  wait  thy  time, 
And,  while  he  toils  with  man,  to  breathe 

The  soul's  serener  clime ! 

And  grant  him  many  hearts  to  lead 

Into  thy  perfect  rest ; 
Bless  thou  him,  Father,  and  his  flock ; 

Bless  !  and  they  shall  be  blest ! 
1846. 


HYMN  OF  BAPTISM. 

When  from  the  Jordan's  gleaming  wave 

Came  forth  the  sinless  one, 
A  voice  athwart  the  heavens  flashed, 

"  Lo,  my  beloved  son  !  " 

The  Baptist,  gazing  on  his  face 
With  the  soul's  radiance  bright, 

Beheld  upon  his  sacred  head 
A  snow-white  dove  alight. 

Now,  with  baptismal  waters  touched, 

Thy  children,  Father,  see  ; 
While    heart    and    soul,    and    mind    and 
strength, 

They  consecrate  to  thee. 

Send  down  on  them  thy  holy  dove, 
Thy  spirit  undeflled  ; 


1 6  Hymn  of  Baptism. 

Be  each  in  purity  and  faith 
Thy  well-beloved  child  ! 

O  help  them  in  the  wilderness, 
To  conquer  doubt  and  sin, 

To  see  above  them  still  thy  Peace 
And  hear  thy  voice  within  ! 


THE    NEW   COMMANDMENT. 

Beneath  the  shadow  of  the  cross, 

As  earthly  hopes  remove, 
His  "  new  commandment  "  Jesus  gives,  ■ 

His  blessed  law  of  love. 

O  bond  of  union  strong  and  deep ! 

O  bond  of  perfect  peace  ! 
Not  even  the  lifted  cross  can  harm, 

If  we  but  hold  to  this. 

Then,  Jesus,  be  thy  spirit  ours  ; 

And  swift  our  feet  shall  move 
To  deeds  of  pure  self-sacrifice, 

And  "  the  sweet  tasks  of  love." 


L 


FAITH,   HOPE,   AND   LOVE. 

Supreme  disposer  of  the  heart ! 

Thou,  since  the  world  was  made, 
Hast  the  best  fruits  of  holiness 

To  holy  hearts  displayed. 

Here,  hope  and  faith  their  links  unite 
With  love  in  one  sweet  chain  ; 

But  when  all  fleeting  things  are  past, 
Love  shall  alone  remain. 

O  love  !  O  true  and  fadeless  light ! 

And  shall  it  ever  be, 
That  after  all  our  toils  and  tears 

Thy  Sabbath  we  shall  see  ? 

'Mid  thousand  fears  and  dangers  now 
We  sow  our  seed,  with  prayer, 


Faith,  Hope,  and  Love.  19 

But  know  that  joyful  hands  shall  reap 
The  shining  harvests  there. 

O  God  of  justice,  God  of  power  ! 

Our  faith  and  hope  increase, 
And  crown  them,  in  the  future  years, 

With  endless  love  and  peace. 

Breviary ,  1848. 


HYMN 

FOR     THE    DEDICATION     OF    THE     NEW     CHAPEL     OF 
THE    FIRST    PARISH,    HAVERHILL. 

O  God  !  a  temple  to  thy  name 

Our  hands  have  builded  fair 
And  now  we  dedicate  to  thee 

This  lowly  House  of  Prayer. 

And  Father,  though  thou  dwellest  not 

In  temples  made  with  hands, 
But  in  the  pure  and  holy  heart 

That  doth  thy  pure  commands, 

Yet  dwell  thou  here  !  for  here,  we  trust, 
Shall  hearts  which  thou  wilt  love 

Bring  unto  thee  the  offering, 
Which  thou  dost  most  approve. 


Hymflfor  the  New  ChapeL  2  1 

Here  be  thy  word  of  Love  and  Power 

Proclaimed  from  lips  sincere, 
And  every  hope  which  blesses  man 

Find  warmest  welcome  here. 

Here  meet  in  Love  thy  sin-stained  child 
And  bid  his  wanderings  cease 

And  on  the  weary,  laden  heart 
Send  thine  untroubled  Peace. 


THE   WORD. 

In  the  beginning  was  the  Word. 

Athwart  the  primal  night 
It  flashed  with  quick,  creative  power, 

And  on  the  earth  was  light. 
In  the  beginning  was  the  Word. 

God's  utterance  of  might 
Upon  man's  waiting  spirit  flashed, 

And  in  the  soul  was  light. 

O  Word  that  broke  the  stillness  first, 

Sound  on,  and  never  cease 
Till  all  earth's  darkness  be  made  light, 

And  all  her  discord  peace. 
Sound  in  thy  servants'  willing  hearts 

Till  all  their  depths  be  stirred  ; 
Speak  from  their  pure,  untrembling  lips, 

O  ever-living  Word  ! 


LAW  AND  LOVE. 

O  Thou  in  whom  we  live  and  move, 
Whose  love  is  law,  whose  law  is  love, 
Whose  present  spirit  waits  to  fill 
The  soul  that  comes  to  do  thy  will ! 

Unto  our  waiting  spirits  teach 
Thy  love  beyond  the  power  of  speech, 
And  bid  us  feel  with  joyful  awe 
The  omnipresence  of  thy  law. 

That  law  doth  give  to  truth  and  right, 
Howe'er  despised,  a  conquering  might, 
And  makes  each  fondly  cherished  lie 
And  boasting  wrong  to  cower  and  die. 

Its  patient  working  doth  fulfill 
Man's  hope  and  God's  all-perfect  will, 


24  Law  and  Love. 

Nor  suffers  one  true  word  or  thought 
Or  deed  of  love  to  come  to  naught. 

Such  faith,  O  God  !  our  souls  sustain 
Free,  true,  and  calm,  in  joy  and  pain, 
That  even  by  our  fidelity 
Thy  kingdom  may  the  nearer  be  ! 


"WATCHMAN,    WHAT    OF   THE 
NIGHT?" 

WRITTEN     FOR      THE    TWENTY-FIFTH      ANNIVERSARY 
OF    THE     AMERICAN     ANTI-SLAVERY    SOCIETY. 

A  quarter  of  the  circling  sphere 
Has  rounded  onward  to  the  light ; 

We  see  not  yet  the  daylight  clear, 
But  we  can  see  the  paling  night. 

And  Hope  that  aye  relumes  her  fires, 
And    Faith    that  shines  with    steadfast 
ray, 

And  Love  that  courage  reinspires, 
As  morning  stars,  lead  on  the  day. 

O  sentinels,  whose  tread  we  heard 

Through  long  hours  when  we  could  not 
see, 


26        Watchman,   What  of  the  Night? 

Pause    now ;    exchange  with    cheer   the 
word, 
The  unchanging  watchword,  Liberty  ! 

Look    backward;    how   much   has   been 
won  ! 

Look  round ;  how  much  is  yet  to  win  ! 
The  watches  of  the  night  are  done  ; 

The  watches  of  the  day  begin. 

O  Thou  whose  mighty  patience  holds 
The  night  and  day  alike  in  view, 

Thy  will  our  dearest  hopes  enfolds, 
Oh,  keep  us  steadfast,  patient,  true  ! 

1856. 


VESPER   HYMNS. 


TO    AN     AIR    HEARD    IN     S.    TRINITA     DE      MONTI 
ROME. 

Hear  us,  Heavenly  Father,  hear  us  ! 

Give  to  us  thy  perfect  peace. 
Thou  whose  love  unsleeping 
Watch  is  ever  keeping, 
Shades  of  evening  gather, 
Thou,  our  heavenly  Father, 
Holy  and  Merciful, 
Hear  our  evening  prayer  ! 

When  life's  glooms  o'ertake  us 
Thou  wilt  not  forsake  us  ; 
When  life's  shadows  darken 
Thou  our  cry  wilt  hearken  ; 
Holy  and  Merciful  ! 
Thou  wilt  hear  our  prayer : 


28  Vesper  Hymns. 

Give  us  thy  peace,  O  God, 
Keep  us  in  thy  perfect  peace  ! 

ii. 
Soft  as  fades  the  sunset  splendor 
And  the  light  of  day  grows  dim, 
We  to  God  our  praises  render, 
Sing  we  thus  our  vesper  hymn,  — 
Jubilate,  Amen ! 
Father,  gracious,  loving,  tender, 
Oh,  accept  the  grateful  strain ! 

Day  by  day  comes  rich  in  blessing, 
Night  by  night  brings  holy  calm  ; 

Lord,  to  thee  our  praise  addressing, 
Rises  thus  our  joyful  psalm,  — 
Jubilate,  Amen  ! 

But,  unworthiness  confessing, 

Into  silence  fades  again. 

in. 
Now  on  land  and  sea  descending, 
Brings  the  night  its  peace  profound, 


Vesper  Hymns.  29 

And  our  evening  hymn  is  blending 

With  the  holy  calm  around. 
Soon  as  dies  the  sunset  glory 

Stars  of  heaven  shine  out  above, 
Telling  still  the  ancient  story,  — 

Their  Creator's  changeless  love. 

Now,  our  wants  and  burdens  leaving 

To  his  care  who  cares  for  all, 
Cease  we  fearing,  cease  we  grieving ; 

At  his  touch  our  burdens  fall. 
As  the  darkness  deepens  o'er  us, 

Lo  !  eternal  stars  arise  ; 
Hope  and  faith  and  love  rise  glorious 

Shining  in  the  spirit's  skies. 

IV. 

Again  as  evening's  shadow  falls, 
We  gather  in  these  hallowed  walls, 
And  vesper  hymn  and  vesper  prayer 
Rise  mingling  on  the  holy  air. 


3°  Vesper  Hymns. 


The  struggling  heart  that  seeks  release 
Here  finds  the  rest  of  God's  own  peace, 
And    strengthened     here     by   hymn    and 

prayer, 
Lays  down  the  burden  and  the  care. 

O  God,  our  Light,  to  thee  we  bow ! 
Within  all  shadows  standest  thou  : 
Give  deeper  calm  than  night  can  bring, 
Give  sweeter  songs  than  lips  can  sing  ! 

Life's  tumult  we  must  meet  again, 
We  cannot  at  the  shrine  remain ; 
But  in  the  spirit's  secret  cell 
May  hymn  and  prayer  forever  dwell ! 
1859. 


"GO    FORTH    TO    LIFE." 

Go  forth  to  life,  O  child  of  earth, 
Remembering  still  thy  heavenly  birth, 
Thou  art  not  here  for  ease  or  sin, 
But  manhood's  noble  crown  to  win. 

Though  passion's  fires  be  in  thy  soul, 
Thy  spirit  can  their  flames  control ; 
Though  tempters  should  beset  thy  way, 
Thy  spirit  is  more  strong  than  they. 

Go  on  from  innocence  of  youth 
To  manly  pureness,  manly  truth ; 
God's  angels  still  are  near  to  save, 
And  God  himself  doth  help  the  brave. 

Then  forth  to  life,  O  child  of  earth  ! 
Be  worthy  of  thy  heavenly  birth  ! 
For  noble  service  thou  art  here ; 
Thy  brothers  help,  thy  God  revere  ! 
1859. 


HYMN    OF   WINTER. 

JT  is  Winter  now  ;  the  fallen  snow 
Has  left  the  heavens  all  coldly  clear ; 
Through  leafless  boughs  the  sharp  winds 

blow, 
And  all  the  earth  lies  dead  and  drear. 

And  yet  God's  love  is  not  withdrawn  ; 
His  life  within  the  keen  air  breathes, 
His  beauty  paints  the  crimson  dawn, 
And   clothes   the    boughs    with   glitt'ring 
wreaths. 

And  though  abroad  the  sharp  winds  blow, 
And  skies  are  chill,  and  frosts  are  keen, 
Home  closer  draws  her  circle  now, 
And  warmer  glows  her  light  within. 


Hy i?m  of  Wi7iter.  33 

O  God  !  who  giv'st  the  winter's  cold 
As  well  as  summer's  joyous  rays, 
Us  warmly  in  thy  love  enfold, 
And  keep  us  through  life's  wintry  days ! 
1859. 


SUMMER   RURAL   GATHERING. 

The  sweet  June  days  are  come  again, 

With  sun  and  clouds  between, 
And,  fed  alike  by  sun  and  rain, 

The  trees  grow  broad  and  green  : 
Spreads  broad  and  green  the  leafy  tent, 

Upon  whose  grassy  floor 
Our  feet,  too  long  in  cities  pent, 

Their  freedom  find  once  more. 

The  sweet  June  days  are  come  again  \ 

Once  more  the  glad  earth  yields 
Her  golden  wealth  of  ripening  grain, 

And  breath  of  clover  fields, 
And  deepening  shade  of  summer  woods, 

And  glow  of  summer  air, 
And  winging  thoughts,  and  happy  moods 

Of  love  and  joy  and  prayer. 


Summer  Rural  Gathering.  35 

The  sweet  June  days  are  come  again, 

The  birds  are  on  the  wing, 
God's  praises,  in  their  loving  strain, 

Unconsciously  they  sing. 
We  know  who  giveth  all  our  good, 

And  'neath  the  arches  dim, 
And  ancient  pillars  of  the  wood, 

We  lift  our  grateful  hymn. 
1859, 


A   PRAYER. 

Life  of  God,  within  my  soul 
Come,  and  make  my  spirit  whole  ! 
Pour  new  life  through  every  vein, 
Search  and  heal  this  inward  pain  ! 

All  this  restless  discontent, 
All  these  wishes  vainly  spent, 
All  this  love  of  self  and  ease, 
All  thy  searching  spirit  sees,  — 

Let  them  all  decay  and  fall ; 
Thou,  my  God,  be  all  in  all ; 
Be  my  power  and  be  my  peace, 
Be  my  freedom  and  release. 

Ever  whisper  the  great  thought 
Which  by  toil  is  never  bought ; 
Still  reveal  the  glorious  truth 
That  gives  the  soul  perpetual  youth. 


LOOKING    UNTO    GOD. 

"  Who  sees  God's  hand  in  all  things,  and  all  things  in 
God's  hand." 

I  look  to  thee  in  every  need, 

And  never  look  in  vain  ; 
I  feel  thy  touch,  Eternal  Love  ! 

And  all  is  well  again. 
The  thought  of  thee  is  mightier  far 
Than  sin  and  pain  and  sorrow  are. 

Discouraged  in  the  work  of  life, 

Disheartened  by  its  load, 
Shamed  by  its  failures  or  its  fears, 

I  sink  beside  the  road,  — 
But  let  me  only  think  of  thee, 
And  then  new  heart  springs  up  in  me. 

Thy  calmness  bends  serene  above, 
My  restlessness  to  still ; 


3  8  Lookitig  iifito  God. 

Around  me  flows  thy  quickening  life 

To  nerve  my  faltering  will ; 
Thy  presence  fills  my  solitude, 
Thy  providence  turns  all  to  good. 

Embosomed  deep  in  thy  dear  love, 
Held  in  thy  law,  I  stand ; 

Thy  hand  in  all  things  I  behold, 
And  all  things  in  thy  hand ; 

Thou  leadest  me  by  unsought  ways, 

And  turn'st  my  mourning  into  praise. 


"IN    ALL   AGES    ENTERING    HOLY 
SOULS." 

Light  of  ages  and  of  nations ! 
Every  race  and  every  time 
Has  received  thine  inspirations, 
Glimpses  of  thy  truth  sublime. 
Always  spirits  in  rapt  vision 
Passed  the  mystic  veil  within  ; 
Always  hearts  bowed  in  contrition 
Found  salvation  from  their  sin. 

Reason's  noblest  aspiration 

Truth  in  growing  clearness  saw ; 

Conscience  spoke  its  condemnation, 

Or  proclaimed  the  Eternal  law. 

While  thine  inward  revelations 

Told  thy  saints  their  prayers  were  heard, 

Prophets  to  the  guilty  nations 

Spake  thine  everlasting  word. 


40    "  In  All  Ages  entering  Holy  Souls." 

Lord,  that  word  abideth  ever  \ 
Revelation  is  not  sealed  • 
Answering  now  to  our  endeavor, 
Truth  and  Right  are  still  revealed. 
That  which  came  to  ancient  sages, 
Greek,  Barbarian,  Roman,  Jew, 
Written  in  the  souFs  deep  pages 
Shines  to-day,  forever  new  ! 
i860. 


THE   CHURCH    UNIVERSAL. 

• 
One  holy  church  of  God  appears 

Through  every  age  and  race, 

Unwasted  by  the  lapse  of  years, 

Unchanged  by  changing  place. 

From  oldest  time,  on  farthest  shores, 

Beneath  the  pine  or  palm, 
One  Unseen  Presence  she  adores, 

With  silence  or  with  psalm. 

Her  priests  are  all  God's  faithful  sons, 
To  serve  the  world  raised  up ; 

The  pure  in  heart  her  baptized  ones, 
Love  her  communion-cup. 

The  truth  is  her  prophetic  gift, 
The  soul  her  sacred  page ; 


42  The  Church  Universal. 

And  feet  on  mercy's  errands  swift 
Do  make  her  pilgrimage. 

O  living  Church !  thine  errand  speed, 

Fulfill  thy  work  sublime  ; 
With  bread  of  life  earth's  hunger  feed, 

Redeem  the  evil  time ! 
i860. 


"AROUND   THE   WINTRY   TOMB." 

Around  the  wintry  tomb, 
Blown  by  the  drear  wind's  breath, 
As  with  a  voice  of  doom 
The  dry  leaf  rustleth  ; 
But  a  secret  voice  still  whispers, 
11  O  soul,  there  is  no  death  !  " 

Hearts  on  the  altar  laid 
May  seem  to  perish,  slain ; 
The  sacrificial  blood 
May  seem  to  flow  in  vain ; 
But  a  secret  voice  still  whispers, 
"  O  true  soul,  not  in  vain  !  " 
1S61. 


JESUS    OF    NAZARETH. 

The  loving  Friend  to  all  who  bowed 

Beneath  life's  weary  load, 
From  lips  baptized  in  humble  prayer 

His  consolations  flowed. 

The  faithful  Witness  to  the  Truth, 

His  just  rebuke  was  hurled 
Out  from  a  heart  that  burned  to  break 

The  fetters  of  the  world. 

No  hollow  rite,  no  lifeless  creed, 
His  piercing  glance  could  bear; 

But  longing  hearts  which  sought  him  found 
That  God  and  heaven  were  there. 


"GIVE    US    THIS    DAY    OUR    DAILY 
BREADS 

O  God,  thou  giver  of  all  good ! 
Thy  children  live  by  daily  food ; 
And  daily  must  the  prayer  be  said, 
"  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread  !  " 

The  life  of  earth  and  seed  is  thine  ; 
Suns  glow,  rains  fall,  by  power  divine ; 
Thou  art  in  all  ;  not  even  the  powers 
By  which  we  toil  for  bread  are  ours. 

What  large  provision  thou  hast  made ! 
As  large  as  is  thy  children's  need  : 
How  wide  thy  bounteous  love  is  spread ! 
Wide  as  the  want  of  daily  bread. 

Since  every  day  by  thee  we  live, 
May  grateful  hearts  thy  gifts  receive ; 
And  may  the  hands  be  pure  from  stain 
With  which  our  daily  bread  we  gain. 


ON    THE    LORD'S    SIDE. 

God's    trumpet    wakes    the    slumbering 
world ; 

Now,  each  man  to  his  post ! 
The  red-cross  banner  is  unfurled ; 

Who  joins  the  glorious  host  ? 

He  who,  in  fealty  to  the  Truth, 

And  counting  all  the  cost, 
Doth  consecrate  his  generous  youth,  — 

He  joins  the  noble  host ! 

He  who,  no  anger  on  his  tongue, 

Nor  any  idle  boast, 
Bears  steadfast  witness  against  wrong,  — 

He  joins  the  sacred  host ! 

He  who,  with  calm,  undaunted  will, 
Ne'er  counts  the  battle  lost, 


On  the  Lord's  Side.  47 

But,  though  defeated,  battles  still, — 
He  joins  the  faithful  host ! 

He  who  is  ready  for  the  cross, 
The  cause  despised  loves  most, 

And  shuns  not  pain  or  shame  or  loss,  — 
He  joins  the  martyr  host ! 


JOHN   AND   JESUS. 

A  voice  by  Jordan's  shore  ! 
A  summons  stern  and  clear :  — 
Reform  !  be  just !  and  sin  no  more  ! 
God's  judgment  draweth  near ! 

A  voice  by  Galilee, 
A  holier  voice  I  hear  :  — 
Love  God  !  thy  neighbor  love  !  for  see, 
God's  mercy  draweth  near ! 

O  voice  of  Duty,  still 
Speak  forth  :  I  hear  with  awe ; 
In  thee  I  own  the  sovereign  will, 
Obey  the  sovereign  law. 

Thou  higher  voice  of  Love  ! 
Yet  speak  thy  word  in  me  ; 
Through  Duty  let  me  upward  move 
To  thy  pure  liberty ! 


"FATHER,    I    HAVE   SINNED." 

Love  for  all !    and  can  it  be  ? 
Can  I  hope  it  is  for  me  ? 
I,  who  strayed  so  long  ago, 
Strayed  so  far,  and  fell  so  low  ! 

I,  the  disobedient  child, 
Wayward,  passionate,  and  wild ; 
I,  who  left  my  Father's  home 
In  forbidden  ways  to  roam  ! 

I,  who  spurned  his  loving  hold, 
I,  who  would  not  be  controlled  ; 
I,  who  would  not  hear  his  call, 
I,  the  willful  prodigal  ? 

I,  who  wasted  and  misspent 
Every  talent  he  had  lent ; 


50  "  Father,  I  have  Sinned. ' ' 

I,  who  sinned  again,  again, 
Giving  every  passion  rein  ! 

To  my  Father  can  I  go  ?  — 
At  his  feet  myself  I  '11  throw, 
In  his  house  there  yet  may  be 
Place,  a  servant's  place  for  me. 

See,  my  Father  waiting  stands ; 
See,  he  reaches  out  his  hands ; 
God  is  love  !     I  know,  I  see 
There  is  love  for  me  —  even  me ! 


PRAYER   FOR   INSPIRATION. 

Holy  Spirit,  Truth  divine  ! 
Dawn  upon  this  soul  of  mine ; 
Word  of  God,  and  Inward  Light ! 
Wake  my  spirit,  clear  my  sight. 

Holy  Spirit,  Love  divine  ! 
Glow  within  this  heart  of  mine ; 
Kindle  every  high  desire  ; 
Perish  self  in  thy  pure  fire  ! 

Holy  Spirit,  Power  divine  ! 
Fill  and  nerve  this  will  of  mine  ; 
By  thee  may  I  strongly  live, 
Bravely  bear  and  nobly  strive. 

Holy  Spirit,  Right  divine  ! 

King  within  my  conscience  reign  ; 


52  Prayer  for  Inspiratioti. 

Be  my  Law,  and  I  shall  be 
Firmly  bound,  forever  free. 

Holy  Spirit,  Peace  divine  ! 
Still  this  restless  heart  of  mine  ; 
Speak  to  calm  this  tossing  sea, 
Stayed  in  thy  tranquillity. 

Holy  Spirit,  Joy  divine  ! 
Gladden  thou  this  heart  of  mine ; 
In  the  desert  ways  I  sing, 
"  Spring,  O  Well !  forever  spring." 


PEACE   ON    EARTH. 

Peace,  peace  on  earth !  the  heart  of  man 

forever 
Through  all  these  weary  strifes   foretells 

the  day  \ 
Blessed  be  God !  the  hope  forsakes  him 

never, 
That  war  shall  end,  and  swords  be  sheathed 

for  aye. 

Peace,  peace  on  earth  !  When  man  to 
man  is  brother, 

Hosts  shall  go  forth  to  bless,  and  not  de- 
stroy ; 

Nations  shall  justly  deal  with  one  another, 

And  peace  on  earth  fulfill  the  angels'  joy. 


CHURCH   ANNIVERSARY. 

O  Thou,  whose  liberal  sun  and  rain 
Come  not  upon  the  earth  in  vain, 
Now  let  thy  quickening  word  come  down 
The  worship  of  this  hour  to  crown ! 

O  hear  this  church  renew  its  vow, 
Its  solemn  consecration  now, 
To  work,  with  heart  and  soul  and  might, 
For     Truth     and     Freedom,    Love    and 
Right;  — 

To  listen  with  a  willing  faith 
To  whatsoe'er  the  Spirit  saith, 
And  year  by  year  to  be  more  true 
To  him  who  maketh  all  things  new  ! 


"GOD,  THROUGH  ALL,  AND  IN  YOU 
ALL." 

God  of  the  earth,  the  sky,  the  sea, 

Of  all  above  and  all  below, 
Creation  lives  and  moves  in  thee, 

Thy  present  life  through  all  doth  flow. 

Thee  in  the  lonely  woods  we  meet, 
On  the  bare  hills  or  cultured  plains, 

In  every  flower  beneath  our  feet, 

And  e'en  the  still  rock's  mossy  stains. 

Thy  love  is  in  the  sunshine's  glow, 
Thy  life  is  in  the  quickening  air  ; 

When   lightnings  flash    and    storm-winds 
blow, 
There  is  thy  power  ;  thy  law  is  there. 

We  feel  thy  calm  at  evening's  hour, 
Thy  grandeur  in  the  march  of  night ; 


56   "  God,  through  All,  and  in  You  All" 

And  when  the  morning  breaks  in  power, 
We  hear  thy  word,  "  Let  there  be  light." 

But  higher  far,  and  far  more  clear, 
Thee  in  man's  spirit  we  behold  ; 

Thine  image  and  thyself  are  there  — 
The  Indwelling  God,  proclaimed  of  old. 


"THE   TRUTH    SHALL   MAKE  YOU 
FREE." 

WRITTEN  FOR  THE  TWENTY-FIFTH  ANNIVERSARY 
OF  THE  FIRST  MEETING  OF  THE  SECOND  UNI- 
TARIAN  SOCIETY    IN    BROOKLYN. 

We  sowed  a  seed  in  faith  and  hope 

Out  in  the  unfenced  lands ; 
Now,  rooted  deep  and  spreading  fair, 

A  living  tree  it  stands. 
Nor  strife  nor  cry  has  marked  its  growth, 

But,  broad'ning  silently, 
Each  bough  that  sways  in  sunshine  says, 

11  The  Truth  shall  make  you  free  !  " 

Its  leaves  have  for  our  healing  been 

By  dews  of  heaven  blest ; 
Beneath  its  boughs  our  children  sang, 

Our  dear  ones  passed  to  rest. 


58    "  Hie  Truth  shall  make  you  Free." 

We  in  its  shade  with  God  have  walked, 
Whom  our  own  hearts  could  see  ; 

And  lo  !  from  need  of  rite  or  creed 
His  Truth  has  made  us  free  ! 

From  outward  rule  to  inward  law 

That  Truth  our  feet  still  lead ! 
From  letter  into  spirit  still, 

From  form  to  life  and  deed  ! 
From  God  afar  to  God  most  near ! 

Our  confidence  is  he  ; 
From  fear  of  man  or  Church's  ban 

His  Truth  has  made  us  free. 
1876. 


44 BEHOLD,    I    MAKE   ALL    THINGS 

NEW." 

WRITTEN      FOR    THE     ANNIVERSARY      OF     THE    FREE 
RELIGIOUS    ASSOCIATION. 

O  Life,  that  maketh  all  things  new,  — 
The  blooming  earth,  the  thoughts  of  men  ! 
Our  pilgrim  feet,  wet  with  thy  dew, 
In  gladness  hither  turn  again. 

From  hand  to  hand  the  greeting  flows, 
From  eye  to  eye  the  signals  run, 
From  heart  to  heart  the  bright  hope  glows  ; 
The  seekers  of  the  light  are  one,  — 

One  in  the  freedom  of  the  Truth, 
One  in  the  joy  of  paths  untrod, 
One  in  the  soul's  perennial  youth, 
One  in  the  larger  thought  of  God,  — 


60     "  Behold,  I  make  All  Things  New." 

The  freer  step,  the  fuller  breath, 

The  wide  horizon's  grander  view, 

The  sense  of  life  that  knows  no  death,  — 

The  Life  that  maketh  all  things  new. 


"BEHOLD,    THE    FIELDS    ARE 
WHITE." 

Oh,  still  in  accents  sweet  and  strong 
Sounds  forth  the  ancient  word,  — 

"  More  reapers  for  white  harvest  fields, 
More  laborers  for  the  Lord." 

We  hear  the  call ;  in  dreams  no  more 

In  selfish  ease  we  lie, 
But  girded  for  our  Father's  work, 

Go  forth  beneath  his  sky. 

Where  prophets'  word,  and  martyrs*  blood, 
And  prayers  of  saints  were  sown, 

We,  to  their  labors  entering  in, 

Would  reap  where  they  have  strown. 

O  Thou  whose  call  our  hearts  has  stirred  ! 

To  do  thy  will  we  come  ; 
Thrust  in  our  sickles  at  thy  word, 

And  bear  our  harvest  home. 


"THOU    WHO,    IMMUTABLE    AND 

ONE." 

Thou  who,  Immutable  and  One, 
Through  varying  forms  dost  range, 

The  abiding  life,  the  steadfast  law, 
Deep  at  the  heart  of  change  ;  — 

Our  restless  life  sweeps  ever  on 
To  regions  new  and  strange  ; 

But  may  our  hearts  the  abiding  find, 
The  changeless  'mid  all  change ! 


"NOW  WHILE  WE  SING  OUR  CLOS- 
ING PSALM." 

Now  while  we  sing  our  closing  psalm. 
With  reverent  lips  and  glowing  heart, 
May  peace  from  out  th'  eternal  calm 
Rest  on  our  spirits  as  we  part. 

May  light,  to  guide  us  every  hour, 
From  thee,  eternal  Sun,  descend  ; 
And  strength  from  thee,  almighty  Power, 
Be  with  us  now,  and  to  the  end ! 


EASTER. 

Lo,  the  earth  again  is  risen, 
Living,  from  its  wintry  prison  ; 
Bring  we  flower  and  leaf  and  spray 
To  adorn  our  holiday  ! 

Once  again  the  word  comes  true  : 
Lo,  he  maketh  all  things  new  ! 
Now  the  dark,  cold  days  are  o'er, 
Light  and  gladness  are  before. 

How  our  hearts  leap  with  the  spring  ! 
How  our  spirits  soar  and  sing  ! 
Light  is  victor  over  gloom, 
Life  triumphant  o'er  the  tomb. 

Change,  then,  mourning  into  praise, 
And  for  dirges  anthems  raise  ! 
All  our  fears  and  griefs  shall  be 
Lost  in  immortality  ! 


HYMN 

FOR    A    CHURCH    ANNIVERSARY. 

Eternal  One,  thou  living  God, 
Whom  changing  years  unchanged  reveal, 
With  thee  their  way  our  fathers  trod ; 
The  hand  they  held,  in  ours  we  feel ! 

The  same  our  trust,  the  same  our  need, 
In  sorrow's  stress,  in  duty's  hour; 
We  keep  their  faith,  if  not  their  creed, 
That  faith  the  fount  of  all  our  power! 

We  bless  thee  for  the  growing  light, 
The  advancing  thought,  the  widening  view, 
The  larger  freedom,  clearer  sight, 
Which  from  the  old  unfolds  the  new. 

With  wider  view,  come  loftier  goal ! 
With  fuller  light,  more  good  to  see ! 


66  Hymn. 

With  freedom,  truer  self-control, 
With  knowledge,  deeper  reverence  be ! 

Anew  we  pledge  ourselves  to  thee, 
To  follow  where  thy  truth  shall  lead. 
That  truth  alone  can  make  us  free ; 
Who  goes  with  God  is  safe  indeed ! 


BENEDICTION. 

Father,  give  thy  benediction, 

Give  thy  peace,  before  we  part ; 
Still  our  minds  with  truth's  conviction, 

Calm  with  trust  each  anxious  heart :  - 
Let  thy  voice,  with  sweet  commanding, 

Bid  our  griefs  and  struggles  end ; 
Peace  which  passeth  understanding 

On  our  waiting  spirits  send. 


HYMN 

WRITTEN     FOR    THE    DEDICATION    OF    THE 
CAMBRIDGE    HOSPITAL. 

Thou  Lord  of  life,  our  saving  Health, 
Who  mak'st  thy  suffering  ones  our  care, 

Our  gifts  are  still  our  truest  wealth, 
To  serve  thee  our  sincerest  prayer. 

As  on  the  river's  rising  tide 

Flow  strength  and  coolness   from  the 
sea, 
So,  through  the  ways  our  hands  provide, 

May  quickening  life  flow  in  from  thee, — 

To  heal  the  wound,  to  still  the  pain, 
And  strength  to  failing  pulses  bring, 

Till  the  lame  feet  shall  leap  again 

And  the  parched  lips  with  gladness  sing. 


Hy  urn.  69 

Bless    thou    the    gifts    our    hands    have 
brought ! 
Bless    thou    the  work  our  hearts  have 
planned  ! 
Ours  is  the  hope,  the  will,  the  thought; 
The  rest,  O  God,  is  in  thy  hand  I 
1886. 


THE    LORD    OF   ALL. 

Sing  forth  his  high  eternal  name 
Who  holds  all  powers  in  thrall, 

Through  endless  ages  still  the  same,  — 
The  mighty  Lord  of  all. 

His  goodness,  strong  and  measureless, 

Upholds  us  lest  we  fall ; 
His  hand  is  still  outstretched  to  bless, — 

The  loving  Lord  of  all. 

His  perfect  law  sets  metes  and  bounds, 
Our  strong  defense  and  wall ; 

His  providence  our  life  surrounds, — 
The  saving  Lord  of  all. 

He  every  thought  and  every  deed 

Doth  to  his  judgment  call ; 
Oh,  may  our  hearts  obedient  heed 

The  righteous  God  of  all. 


The  Lord  of  All.  71 

When,  turning  from  forbidden  ways, 

Low  at  his  feet  we  fall, 
His  strong  and  tender  arms  upraise,  — 

The  pardoning  Lord  of  all. 

Unwearied  he  is  working  still, 

Unspent  his  blessings  fall, 
Almighty,  Loving,  Righteous  One, 

The  only  Lord  of  all. 


EASTER   HYMN. 

Cease,  O  mourner  !  cease  your  tears, 
Lift  your  sorrow-burdened  eyes. 
Through  the  clouds  the  blue  appears, 
Storms  have  cleared  the  April  skies. 
Ended  is  the  winter's  strife, 
Stand  the  fields  in  living  green ; 
Death  is  swallowed  up  in  life ; 
Faith  is  justified,  serene. 

Go  not  to  the  grave  to  sigh, 
'T  is  not  there  your  treasure  lies  ; 
Unseen,  yet  most  closely  nigh, 
Is  the  loving  heart  you  prize. 
Graves  are  but  the  body's  bed, 
Soul  the  grave  could  never  hold  ; 
Living  seek  not  'mid  the  dead ; 
Hearts  that  love  can  ne'er  grow  cold. 


Easter  Hymn. 


73 


Lift  your  thoughts  to  higher  spheres, 
There  the  radiant  one  behold 
Free  from  grief,  save  for  your  tears, 
Joyous  as  in  days  of  old. 
There  in  life's  untiring  round 
Of  willing  service  gently  led, 
The  dead  are  living,  the  lost  found, 
And  the  sorrowing  comforted. 

Faith's  strong  hand  the  veil  thus  parts, 
Thus  the  light  of  life  shines  through  ; 
Near  unto  your  heart  of  hearts 
Is  the  loved,  still  loving  you. 
Ended  be  your  mourning  hours, 
Learn  the  lesson  taught  of  old 
By  the  very  birds  and  flowers,  — 
Trust  in  God,  and  be  consoled. 


EASTER   CAROL. 

Sing  we  now  our  hymns  of  gladness 

On  this  happy  Easter  morn ; 
Sing  of  life,  —  the  life  immortal, 
Life  that  out  of  death  is  born. 
Death  is  conquered,  and  we  conquer, 

When  to  holy  life  we  rise,  — 
That  is  life,  and  life  immortal, 
That  the  life  which  never  dies. 
Sing,  sing,  children  sing ! 
Sing  of  life  immortal ; 
Bring,  bring  flowers  of  spring 

To  the  temple's  portal ! 
Strong,  strong,  lift  your  song, 

Beautiful  and  glorious ; 
Rise,  rise,  as  earth  has  risen,  — 
Risen  from  the  dead ! 


Easter  Carol.  75 


Hallelujah  !    Hallelujah  ! 

Life  again  from  death  is  born  ; 
Thus  we  sing  our  hymn  of  gladness 

On  this  happy  Easter  morn. 


INSTALLATION    HYMN. 

"  Behold,  I  have  set  before  thee  an  open  door,  and 
no  man  can  shut  it."     Rev.  iii.  8. 

O  Church  of  Freedom  and  of  Faith, 
Give  ear  to  what  the  Spirit  saith,  — 
"  Behold,  I  set  an  open  door 
Before  thee,  to  be  shut  no  more  !  " 

Then  let  no  impious  hands  e'er  dare 
To  shut  out  God's  free  light  and  air ; 
Let  never  bigot's  narrow  wall 
Shut  in  the  Grace  which  flows  for  all ! 

May  he,  O  God,  who  comes  to-day 
To  teach  thy  Truth,  thy  Life,  thy  Way 
In  thy  high  service  bear  his  part 
With  open  mind  and  open  heart ! 


I?istallation  Hymn.  77 

And  O  may  all  who  gather  here 
Hold  reverence  precious,  freedom  dear, 
And  to  the  Spirit  more  and  more 
Be  every  soul  an  open  door ! 


VERSES. 


NO    HEART   ALONE. 

"  I  have  learned,"  says  the  melancholy  Pestalozzi,  "that 
in  this  wide  world  there  is  no  heart  willing  or  able  to 
help  another." 

O  say  not  we  through  life  must  struggle, 
Must  toil,  must  mourn,  alone  ; 

That  no  one  beating  heart  can  answer 
The  throbbings  of  our  own  ! 

The  sky  with  its  own  celestial  hues 
Ever  paints  the  sea  below ; 

And  the  sea  sends  up  its  mists  to  form 
Bright  clouds  and  the  heavenly  bow. 

The     stars    look    down     from     the    holy 
heaven 

Into  the  earthly  stream, 
And  see  themselves  in  the  quiet  depths 

With  softer  beauty  gleam. 


82  No  Heart  Alone. 

Thus  all  things  do  of  their  own  beauty 
Each  with  some  other  share  ; 

And  thus  a  lesson  of  loving  duty 
To  all  men's  hearts  they  bear. 

Alone  amid  life's  griefs  and  perils, 
The  stoutest  soul  might  quail ; 

Left  to  its  own  unaided  efforts, 
The  strongest  arm  might  fail. 

And  though  all  strength  still  comes  from 
heaven, 

All  light  from  God  above, 
Yet  we  may  sometimes  be  his  angels, 

Apostles  of  his  love. 

Then  let  us  learn  to  help  each  other, 

As  on  life's  path  we  wend  : 
Who  sees  in  every  man  a  brother 

Shall  never  want  a  friend. 

1839. 


THE  VIADUCT. 

Fair  shines  the  landscape  in  the  evening 
glow, 
While  the  warm  sunbeams  steep  each 
tree  in  light, 
Brightening  the  meadow's  green  expanse 
below 
And  flashing  where  the  river  comes  to 
sight ; 
And    high    above,  the  bridge,   as    in    dis- 
dain 
Of  hill  and  valley,  over  them  doth  leap, 
Its  rocky  feet  set  firm  upon  the  plain, 
While    the    white    arches    spring    from 

steep  to  steep ; 
And  at  that  airy  height  securely  sweep 
The  rushing  cars  in  swift  and  long-drawn 
train. 


84  The  Viaduct. 


O  wondrous  power  of   man  !  which   thus 
doth  chain 
All  powers  of  Nature,  and  doth  subject 
keep 
Those  fiery  steeds,  and  guide  them  with- 
out rein 
O'er  hill  and  valley,  interposed  in  vain  ! 
1840. 


ROCK-BURN. 

TO  M.  If.  W. 

O'er  sands  of  golden  brown, 
O'er  rocks  with  mosses  gray, 

The  eager  brook  hastes  down, 
Nor  pauses  on  its  way  ;  — 

Staying  not  to  kiss  the  leaves 
That  dip  in  its  cool  tide ; 

Staying  not  to  wtoo  the  flowers 
That  bloom  along  its  side  ; 

Staying  not  in  the  sweet  shadow 
Of  the  forest  green  and  cool  ; 

Staying  not  in  the  sunny  meadow, 
Nor  in  the  dark  still  pool  ; 

Staying  not  to  hear  the  bird-song, 
Nor  the  busy  hum  of  the  bee, 


86  Rock-Bur?i. 


But  rushing  restless  onward 
Down  to  the  distant  sea,  — 

Down  through  the  broad  deep  river 

Unto  the  roaring  main  ; 
It  hears  the  deep  sea  calling, 

And  answers  back  again ! 

Say  not  the  brook  is  laughing 

Or  singing  merrily,  — 
Its  wave  yon  tired  boy  quaffing 

Not  wearier  can  be. 

No  mirth  it  ever  knows ; 

But  it  leaps  from  stone  to  stone, 
And  murmurs  as  it  goes 

In  eager,  restless  tone. 

And  its  voice  has  strange  power 

To  win  our  souls  away  : 
Oh,  we  can  sit  and  listen 

Through  the  long  summer  day,  — 


Rock- Burn.  87 


Sit  till  the  day  is  ended, 

And  the  hot  sun  gone  down, 

And  on  the  woods  descended 
The  twilight  soft  and  brown. 

And  its  voice  grows  loud  and  clear 
When  the  world  lies  asleep  ; 

And  it  preaches  in  the  ear 
Of  those  who  wake  and  weep. 

It  tells  of  restless  yearning, 
Of  the  spirit's  ceaseless  strife, 

How  the  soul  is  ever  sighing 
After  a  higher  life. 

How  time's  stream  floweth  ever 

Bearing  our  life  away  \ 
Vain,  vain  is  our  endeavor,  — 

We  cannot  make  it  stay ! 

Onward  and  ever  onward 
The  unresting  current  rolls, 


88  Rock-Burn. 


And  strange,  mysterious  voices 
Are  calling  to  our  souls. 

The  present  cannot  win  us 
That  we  should  in  it  stay ; 

The  Eternal  call  within  us 
We  hear,  and  must  obey. 


TO    A   BEAUTIFUL    CHILD. 

So  short  thy  stay,  so  swift  thy  flight, 
Methinks  some  vision  of  a  night 
Gleamed  for  a  moment  on  my  sight. 

But  't  is  no  dream  that  I  retrace, 
For  I  have  seen  thy  gentle  face, 
And  held  thy  hand  in  warm  embrace. 

As  bright  birds  through  the  forest  dart, 
Does  thy  sweet  smile  which  knew  no  art 
Still  flash  its  sunshine  to  my  heart. 

And,  as  beneath  the  trees  I  lie, 
In  the  dusk  violet  springing  nigh 
I  see  again  thy  tender  eye,  — 

That  eye  where  loving  thought  did  brood, 
Its  light  by  lashes  dark  subdued, 
Like  the  soft  light  within  a  wood. 


90  To  a  Beautiful  Child. 

And  in  the  neighboring  streamlet's  fall 
Thy  voice  afar  doth  seem  to  call 
In  accents  mild  and  musical. 

So  though  thou  art  no  longer  here, 
Yet  to  my  heart  thou  still  art  near ; 
And  I  must  ever  hold  thee  dear, 

And  unto  Heaven  raise  this  prayer, 
That   God   from    tears  thine    eyes  would 

spare 
And  guard  thy  feet  from  every  snare  ! 
1843- 


LESSONS. 

What  is  the  lesson  the  flower  preaches 
As  it  blooms  beside  the  brook  ? 

Could  we  but  listen  to  what  it  teaches, 
We  should  need  no  written  book. 

Up  from  the  bosom  of  earth  it  shoots 

To  drink  the  living  air  ; 
It  opens  its  heart  to  the  light  and  heat 

And  scatters  its  perfume  rare. 

"  Open  thy  heart,"  the  flower  is  saying, 
"  To  heavenly  truth  and  love  ; 

To  God,  in  man,  be  aye  repaying 

The  good  that  he  sends  from  above." 

What  is  the  lesson  the  streamlet  preaches 
As  it  leaps  down  the  mountain-side, 

Nor  rests  nor  sleeps,  but  ever  reaches 
On  to  the  ocean's  tide  ? 


92  Lessons. 

Nor  is  that  its  grave.     Oh,  do  not  deem 

That  it  resteth  even  there  ; 
Look  up  !  and  see  the  mountain  stream 

Transfigured  in  the  air ! 

"  Onward !  "    the     stream     saith,     "  ever 
free  ;  " 

Thy  path  is  still  untrod  ; 
Not  in  what  seems  thy  rest  must  be, 

But  in  what  is,  —  in  God." 

1844. 


BY   MOUNT   HOPE    BAY. 

The  evening  hour  had  brought  its  peace, 

Brought  end  of  toil  to  weary  hands. 
From  wearying  thoughts  to  find  release 

Alone  I  sought  the  ocean  sands. 
Dark  rain-clouds  southward  hovering  nigh 

Gave  to  the  sea  their  leaden  hue ; 
But  in  the  west  the  open  sky 

Its  rose-light  on  the  waters  threw. 

I  stood  with  heart  more  quiet  grown, 

And  watched  the  pulses  of  the  tide, 
The  huge  black  rocks,  the  seaweed  brown, 

The  gray  beach  stretched  on  either  side, 
The  boat  that  dropped  its  one  white  sail 

Where  the  steep  yellow  bank  ran  down, 
And,  o'er  the  clump  of  willows  pale, 

The    white    towers  of  the    neighboring 
town. 


94  -By  Mount  Hope  Bay. 

A  cool  light  brooded  o'er  the  land, 

A  changing  lustre  lit  the  bay, 
The  wave  just  plashed  along  the  sand, 

And  voices  sounded  far  away. 
Past  days  rose  up  to  memory's  eye 

Dark  with  some  clouds  of  leaden  hue,  — 
But  many  a  space  of  open  sky 

Its  rose-light  on  those  waters  threw. 

Then  came  to  me  the  dearest  friend, 

Whose  beauteous  soul  to  all  things  fair 
Doth,  like  the  sea,  new  beauty  lend 

And  glorify  each  image  there. 
The  thoughts  which  words  could  never  tell 

Through     subtler    senses    were     made 
known  ; 
I  raised  my  eyes,  the  darkness  fell ; 

I  stood  upon  the  sands  —  alone  ! 
1850. 


LOVE. 

To  love  and  seek  return, 

To  ask  but  only  this, 
To  feel  where  we  have  poured  our  heart 

The  spirit's  answering  kiss  ; 

To  dream  that  now  our  eyes 

The  brightening  eyes  shall  meet 
And  that  the  word  we  've  listened  for 

Our  hungering  ears  shall  greet,  — 
How  human  and  how  sweet ! 

To  love  nor  find  return,  — 
Our  hearts  poured  out  in  vain ; 

No  brightening  look,  no  answering  tone, 
Left  lonely  with  our  pain  ; 
The  opened  heavens  closed, 
Night  when  we  looked  for  morn, 

The  unfolding  blossom  harshly  chilled, 

Hope  slain  as  soon  as  born,  — 

How  bitter  ;  how  forlorn  ! 


96  Love. 

To  love,  nor  ask  return, 
To  accept  our  solitude, 

Not  now  for  others'  love  to  yearn 
But  only  for  their  good  ; 
To  joy  if  they  are  crowned, 
Though  thorns  our  head  entwine, 

And  in  the  thought  of  blessing  them 
All  thought  of  self  resign,  — 
How  godlike,  how  divine ! 

1851. 


THE   WHITE    CLOVER. 


TO    M.    E.    P. 


Amid  the  rich   and  cultured  blooms  that 

shined, 
By  friendly  hands  bound  in  a  birthday  gift, 
I  found  the  homely,  dear  white  clover  hid, 
And  thanked  at  heart  the  thought  which 

placed  it  there,  — 
The  plain,  good  flower  that  cheerfully  ful- 
fills 
Its  homely  duties  in  the  common  field, 
Or  by  the  road,  ambitious  of  no  more 
Than  to  give  needed  food  to  kine  and  bees  ; 
Yet  serves  God's    higher  love  to  human 

hearts, 
When  some  poor,  ragged,  brown-cheeked 

boy  or  girl, 
Crossing  the  field, —  the  poor  child's  only 
garden,  — 


98  The  White  Clover. 

Plucks  it  for  nosegay  or  for  ornament 
Or  sucks  a  moment's  pleasure   from   its 

cells ; 
Or  when  some  one,  not  poor  nor  young, 

whose  heart 
Is  yet  a  child,  nor  scornful  of  cheap  joys, 
Taking   beyond   the    streets  his  morning 

walk, 
Perceives  a  sudden  fragrance  in  the  air, 
And,    looking  down,   beholds  the   clover 

bloom, 
And  thanks  the  Lord  who  scatters  common 

things 
To  make  us  learn  to  value  common  things, 
To  prize  those  things  which  we  may  share 

in  common 
With  all,   the   humblest,  more  than  things 

select. 
He  sows  June  fields  with  clover,  and  the 

world 
Broadcasts  with  little  common  kindnesses, 
With   plain,    good    souls   that    cheerfully 

fulfill 


The  W J  lite  Clover.  99 

Their  homely  duties  in  the  common  field 
Of  daily  life,  ambitious  of  no  more 
Than  to  supply  the  needs  of  friend  or  kin, 
Yet   serve   God's   higher   will   to   human 

hearts, 
Giving  a  very  fragrance  to  the  home, 
The  hidden  sweetness  of  a  kindly  heart. 
1857. 


UNDER  THE  BRIDGE  AT  NIAGARA. 

We  sat  beneath  the  wooden  bridge 

As  in  a  sheltering  tent, 
And  watched  the  water's  emerald  ridge 

And  marvelous  white  descent. 

The  schoolboys,  ruddy-cheeked  and  fair, 
Stood  round  in  lightsome  mood, 

Nor  saw  the  awful  presence  there,  — 
The  spirit  of  the  flood. 

And  yet  on  one  of  them,  thought  I, 

Some  deeper  influence  stole 
To  touch  the  slumbering  chords  that  lie 

Even  in  the  childish  soul. 

And  when,  in  later  years,  his  ways 

Beside  these  steeps  shall  be, 
The  wonder-joy  his  foot  that  stays 

Shall  seem  half  memory. 


Ufider  the  Bridge  at  Niagara.       101 

Oh,  may  some  heavenly  influence 

Still  to  my  soul  be  nigh 
To  blend  the  child's  unconscious  sense 

With  manhood's  seeing  eye  ! 
1857. 


NOVEMBER   AND   APRIL. 

The  dead  leaves  their  mosaics 

Of  olive  and  gold  and  brown 
Had  laid  on  the  rain-wet  pavement 

Through  all  the  embowered  town. 

They   were  washed   by  the  autumn  tem- 
pest ; 

They  were  trod  by  hurrying  feet ; 
And  the  maids  came  out  with  their  besoms 

And  swept  them  into  the  street, 

To  be  crushed  and  lost  forever, 

'Neath  the  wheels,  in  the  black  mire, 
lost,  — 
The  summer's  precious  darlings, 
Nourished  at  such  a  cost. 

O  words  that  have  fallen  from  me  ! 
O  golden  thoughts  and  true  1 


November  a?id  Ap7'iL  103 

Must  I  see  in  the  leaves  a  symbol 
Of  the  fate  that  awaiteth  you  ? 


Again  has  come  the  spring-time, 
With  the  crocus's  golden  bloom, 

And  the  smell  of  the  fresh-turned  mould, 
And  the  violet's  perfume. 

O  gardener,  tell  the  secret 

Of  these  hues  and  odors  sweet !  — 
"  I  have  only  brought  to  my  garden 

The  black  mire  of  the  street." 


THE   GOLDEN    SUNSET. 

The  golden  sea  its  mirror  spreads 

Beneath  the  golden  skies, 
And  but  a  narrow  strip  between 

Of  earth  and  shadow  lies. 

The  cloud-like  cliffs,  the  cliff-like  clouds, 

Dissolved  in  glory  float, 
And  midway  of  the  radiant  floods 

Hangs  silently  the  boat. 

The  sea  is  but  another  sky, 

The  sky  a  sea  as  well ; 
And  which  is  earth  and  which  the  heavens 

The  eye  can  scarcely  tell. 

So  when  for  me  life's  latest  hour 

Soft  passes  to  its  end, 
May  glory  born  of  earth  and  heaven 

The  earth  and  heaven  blend  ; 


The  Golden  Su?iset.  105 

Flooded  with  light  the  spirit  float, 

With  silent  rapture  glow, 
Till  where  earth  ends  and  heaven  begins, 

The  soul  shall  scarcely  know. 


SHARON   WOODS. 

TO    S.  W.  V. 

In  the  woods  !  in  the  woods  ! 
What  tender  twilight  broods  ! 
What  flickering  sunlights  play 
On  the  beech-tree's  mottled  gray, 
As  we  sit  this  summer  day 
In  the  woods  ! 

In  the  woods,  in  the  woods, 
What  sacred  solitudes  ! 
The  pine-tree  soaring  high 
Spreads  its  hand  out  toward  the  sky 
With  murmured  prayer  and  sigh, 
In  the  woods. 

In  the  woods,  in  the  woods, 
What  low  and  soft  preludes 
Of  winds  the  long  aisles  search. 


Sharon  Woods.  107 

Where  the  marble  stems  of  birch 
Are  the  pillars  of  this  church 
Of  the  woods ! 

In  the  woods,  in  the  woods, 
The  brook's  soft  lapsing  floods 
Chant  loud  and  low  by  turns, 
Where,  'mid  the  plumed  ferns, 
The  sumac's  taper  burns 

In  the  woods  ! 

In  the  woods,  in  the  woods, 
What  sweet  and  gracious  moods 
Fill  the  restless  heart  with  calm, 
Till  it  lifts  its  silent  psalm 
With  the  flowers  that  embalm 
All  the  woods  ! 
1871. 


IN  MEMORIAM. 


A  sense  of  life  effacing  death  ; 

A  sense  of  spreading  wings  ; 
Of  larger  gaze  and  fuller  breath, 

At  thought  of  her  upsprings  ! 

The  enthusiastic  heart  —  the  glow 

Of  warm  and  willing  love  — 
What  bright  expansion  must  it  know 

In  the  new  ways  above  ! 

The  soul  that  owned  all  music's  thrill, 

The  rapture  or  the  pain, 
What  marvelous  delight  must  fill 

As  flows  the  angelic  strain ! 

The  quick  bright  mind,  that  knew  to  prize 
Truth's  freshest,  freest  word,  — 


In  Memoriam.  109 

What  mystic  wisdom  of  the  skies 
Its  unsealed  ears  have  heard  ! 

O  Life,  O  Love,  O  Beauty's  thrill, 

O  Truth  that  maketh  free, 
Our  souls  with  clearer  faith  ye  fill 

In  Immortality ! 
1876. 


SWISS  DAYS. 

TO    S.  J. 

Once  more,  dear  friend,  with  me  recall 
Our  wanderings  in  the  enchanted  land  : 

The  mountain  path,  the  waterfall, 

The   glacier's   chill,   the    lake's    sweet 
strand. 

Again  from  the  green  slopes  of  Bern, 
With  eyes  by  waiting  eager  grown, 

In  rapture  we  afar  discern 

The    lifted    Jungfrau's    "  great    white 
throne." 

From  Miirren's  pastures  zoned  with  snow 
We  watch   the    peaks,  with   quickened 
breath, 

Flush  in  the  evening's  passionate  glow, 
Fade  into  pallor  passing  death. 


Swiss  Days.  1 1 1 

From  Wengern,  through  the  lonely  night, 
We  hear  the  avalanche's  fall ; 

Or  up  the  weary  Sheideck's  height 
Follow  the  alp-horn's  echoing  call. 

Eiger,  and  Monch,  and  Wetterhorn 
Majestic  cleave  the  sky  anew ; 

And  oh,  what  trembling  lights  are  born 
In  Luzern's  emerald,  Leman's  blue  ! 


Names  !  yet  what  alchemy  is  yours 
Out  from  the  ashes  of  the  past 

To  shape  the  picture  which  endures, 
The  colors  which  the  soul  holds  fast ! 
1877. 


TO  A  FRIEND 

ON   HIS   EIGHTY-SECOND   BIRTHDAY. 
I.    P. 

Beyond  the  common  span 

Allotted  unto  man 
Thy  life  is  lengthened,  venerable  friend  ! 

I  fain  would  send  a  thought, 

In  simple  verses  wrought, 
With  the  good  wishes  of  the  day  to  blend. 

And  as  thy  thoughts  to-day 
Retrace  the  lengthened  way, 
How  like  a  golden  thread,  to  thy  mind's 
sight, 
The  love  of  God  doth  shine, 
With  its  unbroken  line 
Inwoven  through  the  dark  as  through  the 
light ! 


To  a  Friend.  113 


How  like  a  golden  clew 

All  the  long  pathway  through, 

The  care  of  him,  thy  Guardian  and  Guide  ! 
Its  hidden  leadings  show 
In  ways  thou  didst  not  know, 

Whate'er  was  given,  or  whate'er  denied. 

What  cause  for  thankfulness 

Thy  heart  must  needs  confess 
To  him,  the  Giver  of  our  every  good ! 

Blessings  of  earth  and  heaven 

In  such  abundance  given  ; 
Each  added  year  an  added  multitude ! 

The  friendship  of  the  good 

Who,  faithful,  by  thee  stood 
In  paths  where  action,  toil,  and  duty  led  ; 

The  affection  true  and  tried 

Which  closer  at  thy  side 
Hath  softened  life's  rough  places  to  thy 
tread  ! 


xi  4  To  a  Friend. 


So  has  thy  cup  o'erflowed  ; 

And  all  along  the  road 
His  rod  and  staff  thy  comfort  have  sup- 
plied 

Who  closer  than  a  friend 

Shall  keep  thee  to  the  end, 
And  be  thy  portion  still,  whate'er  betide. 

For  he  is  there  alway, 
Whate'er  may  cloud  the  day  ; 
Whate'er  is  lost,  this  ever  doth  remain, 
Until  the  gates  unclose 
Through  which  the  pathway  goes 
There,  where  the  weak  grow  strong,  the 
dimmed  eyes  see  again  ! 
1881. 


GLEN    ELLIS    FALL. 
u  Underneath  are  the  everlasting  arms." 

Called  by  a  power  they  must  obey 
The  waters  take  their  perilous  leap  ; 

But  every  tiniest  drop  of  spray 
That  power  doth  keep. 

O  heart,  that  shrinkest  back  appalled,  — 
So  fearful  duty's  way,  and  steep,  — 

Know   that   where'er    God's    voice    hath 
called 
His  hand  will  keep  ! 
1885. 


UP   TO   THE   HILLS. 

From  tame  and  level  lowlands, 
From  the  restless,  restless  sea, 

My  spirit  reaches  upward, 
Calm  mountain  land,  to  thee ! 

Through  the  woodlands,  through  the  farm- 
lands, 

I  speed  —  yet  all  too  slow; 
And  the  rivers  flow  to  meet  me, 

Flow  to  greet  me,  as  I  go. 

Now  green  hills  are  beginning 

To  rise  on  every  side ; 
And  distant,  beckoning  summits 

Glance  shyly,  and  then  hide. 

Now  they  are  all  about  me, 
In  their  very  arms  I  stand ; 


Up  to  the  Hills.  117 


Their  strength,  their  peace,  their  beauty, 
Fold  me  on  every  hand. 

For  me  they  have  been  waiting, 

Patient,  unchanging,  true ; 
Through  all  the  long  year's  absence 

My  faithful  heart  they  knew. 

How  on  their  tranquil  faces, 

Immobile  as  they  seem, 
The  loving  eye  still  traces 

The  shifting  thought  and  dream,  — 

Their  sunny  smile's  enchantment, 
Their  sad  cheeks'  mournful  curve, 

Their  glowing,  breathing  rapture, 
Their  secret,  dark  reserve  ! 

How  noble  is  their  friendship ! 

They  hold  my  freedom  dear ; 
They  encircle  and  they  guard  me, 

Yet  they  will  not  come  too  near ! 

1886. 


GOLDEN-ROD. 

TO    E.    K.    P. 

The   parting   day  had   come;   we   stood 
alone 
On   the   bare   hillside    at    the   evening 

hour  ; 
The  mountains  rose  before  us  in  their 
power, 
But  from  their  face  the  light  was  wholly 

flown. 
In   the  gray  sky  no  gleam    of    sunlight 
shone ; 
Black    rain-clouds    just    withheld    the 

threatening  shower ; 
All  Nature  seemed  to  pause,  and  shrink, 
and  cower, 
Such  sombre  stillness  over  all  was  thrown. 


Golden- Rod.  119 


We  spoke  in  low  hushed  tones,  amid  the 
gloom, 
Of  life  and  all  its  burdens  and  its  cares, 
Of  sorrow,  and    of   death,    and   things 
more  sad ; 
Then  of  the  life  that  shines  beyond  the 
tomb : 
From  the  black  sky  I  looked  down,  un- 
awares, 
And  lo  !  with  golden  flowers  earth  at  our 
feet  was  glad. 


SEPTEMBER. 

Summer  is  gone ;   but   summer   days  re- 
main : 
Not  all  at  once  the  sun  withdraws  his 

heat, 
Though  the  day  later  dawns  and  flies 
more  fleet. 
A  softened  warmth  glows  upon  vale  and 

plain ; 
From  field  and  orchard  now  the  full-heaped 
wain 
Brings  the  ripe  fruitage  of  the  vanished 

days; 
With  gold  and  purple  all  the  roadsides 
blaze ; 
To  dream  of  summer  still  the  earth  is  fain. 

So  from  my  life  the  summer  now  is  gone, 
And  yet  my  heart  some  lingering  glow 
retains, 


Septeviber.  121 

Some  joy  in  beauty,  some  unchilled 
romance  ; 
Though  fled  the  raptures  of  my  manhood's 
dawn, 
Yet  love  of  truth,  yet  love  of  love,  re- 
mains, 
And  gentle  visions  still  my  soul  en- 
trance. 


NOVEMBER. 

Summer  is  gone,  but  summer  days  return  : 
The  winds  and  frosts  have  stripped  the 

woodlands  bare, 
Save  for  some  clinging  foliage  here  and 
there ; 
Now  as  if,  pitiful,  her  heart  did  yearn, 
Nature,  the  loving  mother,  lifts  her  urn 
And  pours  the  stream  of  life  to  her  spent 

child. 
The  desert  air  grows  strangely  soft  and 
mild, 
And  in  his  veins  the  long-fled  ardors  burn. 

So  when  are  past    the  mid-years    of   our 
lives, 
And,  sad  or  glad,  we  feel  our  work  nigh 
done, 


November.  123 


There  come  to  us,  with  sudden,  swift 
returns 
The  glow,  the  thrill,  which  show  that  life 
survives, 
That  —  though  through  softening  mists 
—  still  shines  the  sun, 
And  in  our  souls  the  Indian  summer 
burns. 
1886. 


INTERVALE. 

The  winding  Saco  swiftly  speeds 
Southward  among  the  flowering  weeds, 
The  solemn  pine  trees  lift  on  high 
Their  outstretched    branches  toward    the 
sky; 

The  purple  cliffs  above  the  elms 
Frown  underneath  their  crested  helms, 
The  summer  breezes  as  they  pass 
Toss  into  waves  the  meadow  grass, 

And  shake  the  light-poised  poplar  leaves, 
Then  play  beyond  among  the  sheaves  ; 
While  we  upon  the  upland  green 
Drink  draughts  of  beauty  from  the  scene. 


THE  GREAT  STONE  FACE 

IN    THE    FRANCONIA    NOTCH. 

O  silent  watcher  on  the  mountain-head, 
What  years  have  passed,  what  generations 

sped, 
Since  eye  first   looked  upon  thy  features 

dread ! 

Men  gaze  awe-struck  upon  thy  counte- 
nance, 

Or  pass  thee  by  with  hasty,  careless 
glance, 

And  speed  again  upon  their  folly's  dance. 

Unrecked  by  thee  they  come  and  go  their 

ways  ; 
Thou  heedest  not  their  chatter  nor  their 

praise, 
But  keepest   down   the   vale    thy  solemn 

gaze. 


126  The  Great  Stone  Face. 

Stern,  grim,  unyielding,  unrelenting,  thus 
Looked  old  Prometheus  forth  from  Cau- 
casus, 
So  guerdoned  for  his  service  perilous. 

Say,  didst  thou  too  the  skies  once  strive 

to  climb, 
With  purpose,  too  audaciously  sublime,    , 
To   bring   to   man  Heaven's  gifts  before 

their  time  ? 

Jove   darts   his  bolts  against  thee,  all  in 

vain; 
In  vain  his  wrestling  gales,  his  storming 

rain  ; 
Thou  wait'st  undaunted,  bearing  all   the 

pain. 

The  pitying  clouds  float   up  to  cool   thy 

cheek  ; 
They  woo  thee  gently,  but  thou  dost  not 

speak ; 
Silent,  for  thy  deliverer  dost  thou  seek  ? 


The  Great  Stone  Face.  1 2  7 

Friend,  helper,  or  deliverer    find'st    thou 

none  ; 
Thy  lip,  thy  brow,  thy  heart  have  turned 

to  stone  \ 
Dumb     through    the    years,  —  in    all    the 

world  alone  ! 
1887. 


CHILDREN. 

O  children,  life's  perpetual  June  ! 
Your  path  with  buds  and  fragrance  strewn, 
Down  which  your  feet  beat  happy  tune  ! 

Your  chubby  hands  are  full  of  flowers, 
Your  eyes,  of  sunshine  and  of  showers,  — 
Darlings  of  Nature's  heart  and  ours ! 

With  you  we  toss  the  fragrant  hay, 
Or  pluck  wild  roses  from  the  spray  ; 
Your  cheeks  more  rosy-fair  than  they. 

Such  charm  has  Nature  round  you  flung ; 
You  know  "  the  song  the  sirens  sung," 
That  keeps  our  hearts  forever  young ; 

That  lures  us  to  forget  our  years, 
Forget  our  burdens  and  our  fears  ; 
Oh,  blessed  is  the  ear  that  hears ! 


Children.  129 

The  innocence  that  is  so  wise ; 

The  trust  that  dreams  of  no  disguise  ; 

The  simple  faith  in  mysteries,  — 

These  still  shall  in  the  world  survive 
So  long  as  God  doth  children  give, 
To  keep  the  child  in  us  alive. 


FURNESS  ABBEY. 

"  Considering  every  day  the  uncertainty  of  life,  and 
that  the  roses  and  flowers  of  kings,  emperors,  and 
dukes,  and  the  crowns  and  palms  of  all  the  great 
wither  and  decay  ;  and  that  all  things  with  an  unin- 
terrupted course  tend  to  dissolution  and  death."  — 
Charter  of  the  Abbey. 

On  Norman  cloister  and  on  Gothic  aisle 
The  fading  sunset  lingers  for  a  while  ; 
The    rooks    chant    noisy    vespers    in    the 

elms  ;  — 
Then    night's    slow-rising   tide    the  scene 

o'erwhelms. 

So  fade  the  roses  and  the  flowers  of  kings, 

And  crowns  and  palms  decay  with  hum- 
bler things  ; 

All  works  built  up  by  toil  of  mortal 
breath 

Tend  in  unbroken  course  to  dust  and 
death. 


Fumess  Abbey.  131 

Pillar  and  roof  and  pavement  all  are  gone  ; 
The  lamp  extinguished    and    the   prayers 

long  done  ; 
But     faith    and     awe,     as    stars,    eternal 

shine  ;  — 
The  human  heart  is  their  enduring  shrine. 

All  were  not  idle  and  all  were  not  base 

Who  had  within  these  walls  their  dwelling- 
place. 

And  still  that  life  is  harried,  restless, 
driven, 

Which  finds  no  hour  to  contemplation 
given. 

O  Earth,  in  thine  incessant  funerals, 
Take  to  thyself  these  crumbling,  outgrown 

walls  ! 
In  the  broad  world  our  God  we  seek  and 

find, 
And  serve  our  Maker  when  we  serve  our 

kind. 


132  Fumes s  Abbey. 

Yet  spare,  for  tender  thought,  for  beauty 

spare, 
Some    sculptured   capital,    some    carving 

fair ; 
Yon  ivied  archway,  fit  for  poet's  dream, 
For   painter's    pencil,    or    for    preacher's 

theme ! 

Save,    for   our   modern    hurry,   rush,   and 

strife, 
The  needed  lesson  that   thought,  too,   is 

life! 
Work  is  not  prayer,  nor  duty's  self  divine, 
Unless  within  them  Reverence  hath   her 

shrine. 


THE    NEW   YEAR. 

New  Year !  new  Life,  new  Love  ! 

New  Hope's  fair  prophecy, 
New  Earth  around,  new  Heavens  above 

Veiled  in  soft  mystery ! 

O  deep  and  boundless  Love ! 

O  Life,  more  full  and  free  ! 
O  Hopes,  in  fairer  colors  wove  !  — 

This  New  Year's  gift  are  ye. 


WITH   AN  EASTER    CARD,  BEARING 
A   SHIELD    OF    FAITH. 

Hear  what  ancient  Scripture  saith, 
"  Take  to  thee  the  shield  of  Faith." 

Oft  hath  it  thy  covert  been, 

Thy  defense  and  sheltering  screen.  " 

When  the  darts  of  grief  and  pain 
Have  assailed  thy  soul  in  vain, 

"  More  than  conqueror  "  thou  hast  been 
In  the  might  of  "  things  unseen." 

Thine  the  faith  that  looked  above, 
Saw  through  clouds  the  Eternal  Love. 

Thine  the  faith  that  looks  beyond, 
Saw  that  Life  escapes  Death's  bond. 

Saw  to  those  who  shall  endure 
Victory  at  last  made  sure  ; 


With  an  Easter  Card.  135 

Saw,  whoever  may  deride, 
Angel  legions  on  Truth's  side ; 

Saw  the  Everlasting  Might 
Pledged  to  justify  the  Right. 


Now,  at  this  fair  Easter-tide 
Faith  again  is  justified, 

Lo  !  the  earth  that  lay  so  dead 
Lifts  again  its  beauteous  head, 

Lo  !  the  buried  seed  and  root 

Spring  toward  leaf  and  flower  and  fruit. 

Vain  the  winter's  guard  and  seal 
Life  supreme  save  to  reveal. 

May  the  stone  be  rolled  away 
From  all  buried  hearts  to-day  ! 


"  BENEATH  THE  SHADOW  OF  THE 
ALMIGHTY." 

Where  violets  cast  their  shadow  on  the 

sod, 
The  dewy  grass  in  cooler  freshness  starts  : 
And  so,  beneath  the   shadowing  hand  of 

God, 
Spring   fresh  the    holier    feelings  of    our 

hearts. 
The  Almighty's  shadow  is  a  star-lit  night ; 
His  cloud  is  ever  full  of  hidden  light. 


"I    WILL   TRUST   AND    NOT   BE 
AFRAID/' 

By  this  broad    stream  our  fathers    made 

their  dwelling, 
Builded  their  ships,  and  boldly    left    the 

shore, 
Trusting  in  God,  when   winds  and  waves 

were  swelling ; 
They  dared  the   sea,  nor  trembled  at  its 

roar. 

Honor  we  still  their  faith  and  brave  en- 
deavor, 

But  dwell  not  always  in  the  walls  they 
reared ; 

We  build  not  on  the  ancient  ways  for- 
ever ; 

Yet  trust  no  less  the  God  whom  they 
revered. 


i38  "  I  Will  Trust  and  Not  Be  Afraid:1 

In  broader  day,  with  clearer  light  behold- 
ing, 

Changing  their  creed  but  keeping  fast 
their  faith, 

Freely  the  ancient  forms  of  thought  re- 
moulding, 

Asking  what  word  to-day  the  Spirit  saith, — 

We,  from  the  time-worn  piers  our  ship  un- 
mooring, 

Afloat,  but  not  adrift  upon  the  tide, 

Dare  Truth's  broad  seas,  in  faith  our  hearts 
assuring 

He  must  be  safe  who  sails  where  God 
doth  guide. 


SACRED    SONG. 

Father  of  Mercies,  all  is  rest  and  peace. 
The  stir  of  day  is  over  now  and  gone. 
Father  of  Mercies  !  Seek  we  sweet  release 
From  daily  cares  in  thee,  O  holy  One  ! 
The  heavenly  choirs  their  worship  never 

cease, 
They  come   and  go   around   the  Father's 

throne, 
And  while  we  lift  our    hymns,   the    holy 

chorus 
Of  blessed  spirits  solemnly  floats  o'er  us. 

Holy  devotion  !  filling  every  heart 

As  if  with  gentle  showers  of  evening  dew, 

Faith  strong  and    earnest   up  to    heaven 

doth  dart, 
As    though   on   eagle's  wings   it    upward 

flew. 


140  Sacred  Song. 


Hope  whispers  cheer  and  bids  our  fears 
depart, 

While  Love  bathes  all  our  souls  in  joy 
anew. 

Father  of  Mercies,  we  in  spirit  kneeling 

Pour  forth  in  silence  all  our  blissful  feel- 
ing. 


SONNET 

READ    ON    THE    FIFTIETH    ANNIVERSARY    OF    THE 
CLASS    OF    1839. 

The  voyage  draws  near  its  end  ;   the  wes- 
tering Sun, 
Shorn  of  its  noon-day  heat,  yet  full  of 

light, 
Marks  the  smooth  waters  with  a  glory 
bright 
Richer  than  pearly  gleams  from  morning 
won. 

The  shore,    which  when  our  voyage  was 
but  begun 
Lay  so  remote  beyond  even   thought's 

far  flight, 
Now  on  the  horizon  lifts  itself  to  sight ; 
Sees    it    our    failure,    or   our    work   well 
done  ? 


142  Sonnet. 

Something  perhaps  of  both  the  voyage  has 

brought, 
Of  our  large  venture    something  must 

avail, 
For  dreams  of  youth  we  have  the  faith 

of  age 

By  knowledge    chastened,  by   experience 

taught ! 
And  now  the  time  has  come  to  shorten 

sail, 
The  tranquil  harbor  calls  to  anchorage ! 


